Germany puts €1 million on the table to unmask Berlin blackout arsonists

Germany is offering up to one million euros for information on the arsonists who attacked Berlin's power grid in early January, knocking out electricity to tens of thousands of homes, RBB24 reported. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Federal Prosecutor General launched the unprecedented public appeal on 27 January. Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger called it a move she cannot recall ever happening before at this scale.

The early January arson attack targeted a cable bridge, damaging multiple high-voltage cables and temporarily cutting power to 45,000 households and 2,200 commercial units in southwestern Berlin.

Record reward as investigators come up empty

RBB24 reported that the BKA announced that the witness call will remain open until 24 February 2026. Tips can be submitted by phone or online to the Federal Police. Spranger confirmed the reward on Monday during a session of Berlin's Interior Committee, describing it as a "unique occurrence." The goal of the high reward, she said, is to work "with the BKA and the Federal Prosecutor General" to solve the "act of terrorism."

In government circles, the massive reward is seen as a sign that investigators currently have no leads on the perpetrators, RBB24 reported.

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Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility

A group calling itself Vulkangruppe sent a confession letter to broadcaster RBB on the same day the blackout occurred. The letter was signed "Vulkangruppe – Cutting off the juice to those in power." State security officials consider the confession authentic. The Federal Prosecutor General is now investigating on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organization, anti-constitutional sabotage, arson, and disruption of public services.

A shadowy group with a 15-year trail

The name Vulkangruppe has been known to investigators since 2011, and Germany's domestic intelligence agency says such groups have existed since that year. The group has carried out arson attacks across Berlin and Brandenburg for over a decade. Typical targets include cable shafts along railway lines, radio masts, data cables, and company vehicles. Two previous arson attacks also targeted the power supply of US automaker Tesla at its Grünheide facility.